With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.